Why I Gave Up My Fancy Serums for Tulsi — And What Happened Next
A few months ago, I hit a wall with my skincare routine. I had all the right products: cleansers, toners, serums that cost way too much — and still, my skin looked dull, tired, and honestly, just... unhappy. That’s when a friend casually asked, “Have you ever tried Tulsi?” I laughed. You mean the herb in my grandma’s backyard?
Turns out, Tulsi (also called Holy Basil) is a legit skincare superhero in Ayurveda. I started reading more about it and found a deep dive on its benefits here: https://ask-ayurveda.com/articles/1306-is-tulsi-good-for-skin-ayurvedic-guide-to-benefits-remedies-and-cautions. That article really helped me understand how Tulsi works on skin — not just on the surface but at the root, where inflammation and imbalance start.
The cool part? People online are doing this too. I stumbled across a post on Threads (https://www.threads.com/@askayurveda_24/post/DMxh5jutgY7) where someone shared how they use Tulsi and honey as a spot treatment for breakouts. Their before-and-after pics were kind of amazing.
I started with a simple mask — Tulsi powder and aloe vera. It felt grounding. No tingling, no chemical burn. Just natural calm. After a week, my skin was visibly clearer. I’m not saying it’s magic, but the results made me rethink everything I thought I knew about skincare.
Then I saw this post on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/DMxh48Cy0XT/) showing how Tulsi water can be used as a toner. Super easy to make. I tried it, and now I use it every other night. My skin feels fresh without that tight, dry feeling.
On Pinterest, I found this awesome board with Tulsi-based DIYs: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/895934919626095215. It was full of ideas like mixing Tulsi with sandalwood or turmeric — all things I already had at home.
But it’s not just about external use. A really thoughtful LinkedIn post I came across (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ask-ayurveda_tulsi-ocimum-sanctum-offers-more-than-spiritual-activity-7356677671491133440-OwaR?) explained how Tulsi also supports skin from the inside by detoxing and supporting collagen. That blew my mind. I’ve now started drinking Tulsi tea every morning.
There was also a tweet (https://twitter.com/AskAyurveda_24/status/1950911900033659154) that mentioned how Tulsi helps regulate oil and reduce oxidative stress — two big things I’ve struggled with for years. That one line explained so much about why my skin was finally changing.
I even read a Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/885804900366149/posts/1070491338564170) that talked about using Tulsi both internally and externally for the best results. That holistic approach really stuck with me.
Look, I’m not tossing all my products — yet. But Tulsi has earned a permanent place on my shelf. It’s simple, it’s affordable, and it actually works when used with intention.